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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 122/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Burkina Faso vs Tonga GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Tonga
2024 $23,124,729,853 -
2023 $20,112,614,449 $591,139,749
2022 $18,622,421,395 $556,514,555
2021 $19,697,516,284 $519,306,353
2020 $17,725,010,533 $506,571,468
2019 $16,032,813,503 $506,031,239
2018 $15,890,066,221 $493,530,783
2017 $14,106,955,615 $459,976,850
2016 $12,833,363,045 $420,828,262
2015 $11,832,159,316 $437,525,514
2014 $13,943,016,077 $440,997,738
2013 $13,444,300,486 $451,788,498
2012 $12,561,015,157 $471,122,971
2011 $12,080,295,978 $414,143,828
2010 $10,109,619,741 $366,887,375
2009 $9,450,696,873 $312,415,028
2008 $9,451,435,490 $344,438,844
2007 $7,625,722,837 $298,519,623
2006 $6,547,419,820 $292,232,703
2005 $6,146,353,173 $261,823,805
2004 $5,451,688,538 $230,678,011
2003 $4,740,768,143 $202,246,591
2002 $3,622,350,063 $182,764,281
2001 $3,190,371,081 $181,117,230
2000 $2,968,370,088 $204,848,488
1999 $3,389,566,713 $199,208,718
1998 $2,804,902,367 $191,504,893
1997 $2,447,669,102 $214,991,452
1996 $2,586,550,595 $222,100,576
1995 $2,379,517,975 $208,871,666
1994 $1,895,290,637 $195,990,986
1993 $3,199,536,465 $138,489,884
1992 $3,356,692,505 $137,066,291
1991 $3,135,045,584 $132,201,141
1990 $3,101,300,779 $113,563,822
1989 $2,615,587,734 $106,344,855
1988 $2,616,040,479 $106,657,267
1987 $2,369,834,950 $81,667,133
1986 $2,036,303,358 $68,195,856
1985 $1,552,493,196 $60,058,663
1984 $1,459,880,132 $64,248,355
1983 $1,600,278,605 $60,863,964
1982 $1,754,450,096 $62,068,161
1981 $1,775,842,334 $62,242,013
1980 $1,928,719,888 $53,260,077
1979 $1,748,480,621 $44,667,002
1978 $1,475,583,645 $41,567,472
1977 $1,131,224,878 $34,139,388
1976 $976,547,188 $30,036,417
1975 $939,972,703 $32,506,742
1974 $751,133,430 -
1973 $674,773,570 -
1972 $578,595,522 -
1971 $482,411,179 -
1970 $458,404,269 -
1969 $478,298,645 -
1968 $460,442,689 -
1967 $450,753,924 -
1966 $433,889,766 -
1965 $422,916,790 -
1964 $410,321,645 -
1963 $394,040,667 -
1962 $379,567,099 -
1961 $350,247,234 -
1960 $330,442,816 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Tonga by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 - -
2023 $873 $2,759 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $827 $2,645 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $896 $2,486 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $825 $2,381 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $765 $2,232 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $777 $2,073 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $709 $2,042 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $664 $1,882 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $630 $1,692 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $765 $1,661 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $760 $1,643 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $731 $1,572 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $725 $1,531 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $625 $1,449 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $602 $1,360 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $619 $1,351 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $515 $1,290 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $456 $1,244 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $441 $1,172 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $404 $1,079 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $362 $1,038 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $285.7 $974 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $259.5 $948 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $248.9 $896 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $292.8 $886 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $249.5 $838 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $223.9 $794 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $242.7 $753 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $229.1 $684 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $187.2 $650 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $324 $644 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $349 $623 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $334 $623 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $339 $567 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $293.2 - $1,070 -
1988 $301 - $1,078 -
1987 $280.2 - $830 -
1986 $247.5 - $696 -
1985 $194.1 - $613 -
1984 $187.8 - $656 -
1983 $211.9 - $621 -
1982 $239 - $633 -
1981 $248.7 - $636 -
1980 $277.6 - $545 -
1979 $258.5 - $458 -
1978 $223.9 - $428 -
1977 $176 - $353 -
1976 $155.5 - $315 -
1975 $152.9 - $349 -
1974 $124.7 - - -
1973 $114.1 - - -
1972 $99.6 - - -
1971 $84.5 - - -
1970 $81.7 - - -
1969 $86.8 - - -
1968 $85 - - -
1967 $84.6 - - -
1966 $82.8 - - -
1965 $82.1 - - -
1964 $80.9 - - -
1963 $78.9 - - -
1962 $77.2 - - -
1961 $72.2 - - -
1960 $69.2 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Tonga
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
122/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
24756783
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 51.3% 37%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 44.6% 43%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 32% 60%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 24% 34%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 20% 56.2%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 20% 43.6%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 19.7% 47.7% - -
1997 20% 48.4% - -
1996 19.8% 45.8% - -
1995 19.4% 48.9% - -
1994 17.8% 55.1% - -
1993 17.9% 33.6% - -
1992 16.7% 29.6% - -
1991 17% 28.7% - -
1990 18.4% 25.6% - -
1989 14.2% 25.5% - -
1988 16.2% 28.8% - -
1987 19.2% 30.7% - -
1986 16.3% 27.6% - -
1985 11.5% 28.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 37% in Tonga, ranking 89/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Tonga
2024 -5.84% 4.17%
2023 -6.91% 6.14%
2022 -10.9% -0.1%
2021 -7.45% -0.87%
2020 -5.16% 5.25%
2019 -3.39% 3.28%
2018 -4.43% 2.92%
2017 -6.92% 3.58%
2016 -3.08% 1.47%
2015 -2.09% -2.75%
2014 -1.74% 6.38%
2013 -3.55% -1.3%
2012 -2.76% -1.74%
2011 -2.04% -6.02%
2010 -4.06% -1.22%
2009 -4.16% 6.85%
2008 -3.63% 2.14%
2007 -5.01% 5.39%
2006 14.3% 1.34%
2005 -4.89% 4.23%
2004 -4.19% 4.23%
2003 -1.79% 2.37%
2002 -4.43% 2.59%
2001 -3.56% 2.23%
2000 -3.03% 1.35%
1999 -3.29% 1.55%
1998 -2.6% -
1997 -2.64% -
1996 -1.67% -
1995 -2.65% -
1994 -1.89% -
1993 -3.81% -
1992 -2.51% -
1991 -2.77% -
1990 -7.54% -
1989 1.96% -
1988 -4.32% -
1987 -5.27% -
1986 -5.1% -
1985 -1.21% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Burkina Faso's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.39B, equivalent to 6.91% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Tonga
2024 4.19% 3.18%
2023 0.74% 6.35%
2022 14.3% 11%
2021 3.65% 5.64%
2020 1.88% -0.35%
2019 -3.23% 1.18%
2018 1.96% 5.03%
2017 1.48% 7.52%
2016 0.44% 2.58%
2015 0.72% -1.05%
2014 -0.26% 2.51%
2013 0.53% 0.78%
2012 3.82% 1.15%
2011 2.76% 6.27%
2010 -0.76% 3.53%
2009 2.61% 1.43%
2008 10.7% 10.4%
2007 -0.23% 5.84%
2006 2.33% 6.15%
2005 6.42% 8.67%
2004 -0.4% 11%
2003 2.03% 11.6%
2002 2.18% 10.4%
2001 5.01% 8.29%
2000 -0.3% 6.33%
1999 -1.07% 4.46%
1998 5.08% 3.27%
1997 2.32% 2.12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Tonga
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$161M
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Burkina Faso Tonga
Economic freedom 49.1 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 107/197
Property rights 17.6 71.1
Government integrity 40.2 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 64.9
Tax burden 80.8 85.6
Government spending 72.9 31
Fiscal health 13.4 97.3
Business freedom 37.8 59.2
Labor freedom 62.1 55.9
Monetary freedom 71.9 61
Trade freedom 61 75.4
Investment freedom 65 40
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Tonga
2026 49.1 58.9
2025 51 58.5
2024 51.9 59.2
2023 56.2 60
2022 58.3 60.8
2021 56.5 57.5
2020 56.7 58.8
2019 59.4 57.7
2018 60 63.1
2017 59.6 63
2016 59.1 59.6
2015 58.6 59.3
2014 58.9 58.2
2013 59.9 56
2012 60.6 57
2011 60.6 55.8
2010 59.4 53.4
2009 59.5 54.1
2008 55.7 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 55.8 -
2005 56.6 -
2004 58 -
2003 58.9 -
2002 58.8 -
2001 56.7 -
2000 55.7 -
1999 55 -
1998 54.5 -
1997 54 -
1996 49.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Tonga
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold n/a
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
25.9%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.